Serbian star notches 399th Grand Slam victory in Melbourne, while defending women’s champion Madison Keys overcomes second-set challenge to advance.
Novak Djokovic moved smoothly into the Australian Open third round on Thursday, defeating Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. The victory marks the 38-year-old Serbian’s 101st win at Melbourne Park and brings him within one match of Roger Federer’s all-time Grand Slam match wins record.
Djokovic, chasing a record-extending 11th Australian Open title and a historic 25th Grand Slam crown, controlled the match from the outset. He broke early in each set against the world No. 141, never allowing Maestrelli to gain a foothold.
“The respect is always there,” Djokovic said of his young opponent. “He’s got a big serve and a big game, only lacking a bit of experience.”
The fourth seed will next face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Madison Keys advanced but faced a stiffer test. The ninth-seeded American overpowered compatriot Ashlyn Krueger 6-1 in the first set, but navigated a tense second set filled with unforced errors to seal a 7-5 win.
“I was fully expecting her to raise her level, which she did,” Keys said. “Once I kind of got that momentum, I tried to sink my teeth into the set.”
Keys will meet former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova in the next round.
Elsewhere, fifth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti won an all-Italian clash against Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets, while eighth seed Ben Shelton of the United States comfortably defeated Australia’s Dane Sweeny.
Sixth seed Jessica Pegula delivered a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over fellow American McCartney Kessler, and Amanda Anisimova also progressed, setting up an all-American third-round match against Peyton Stearns.
Play continues later Thursday with defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner, women’s second seed Iga Świątek, and former champion Naomi Osaka all in action.
United Arab Emirates Dirham Exchange Rate
